Spector to Hibernian

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Kool Herc, Aug 1, 2011.

  1. Gamecock14

    Gamecock14 Member+

    May 27, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Its not just Spector who was robbed by injuries. Simek probably would be a Premier league player if he did not suffer constant injuries and Zak Whitbread continues to struggle with injuries. He also played some Champions league ball, I believe. That would have been some nice depth in Defense.
     
  2. Hararea

    Hararea Member+

    Jan 21, 2005
    Has Spector every had an injury that actually affected his long-term ability level?
     
  3. Gorky

    Gorky Member+

    Jul 28, 2006
    NYC
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What's an injury that affects one's long-term ability level? Spector's hip injury is often blamed for robbing him of some lateral quickness.
     
  4. Hararea

    Hararea Member+

    Jan 21, 2005
    It's not self-explanatory? A broken bone takes time to recover, but if it's a clean break, there shouldn't be recovery issues. A knee is much more complex, so injuries can have greater long-term consequences (in spite of a lot of medical progress).

    As for Spector's hip surgery, perhaps it wasn't entirely successful, but from what I saw, he was always slow on the outside. He's a classic tweener, not quick enough for outside back, not skilled enough for midfield or forward, and (by English standards) not physical enough for center back.
     
  5. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    Which CL games did Spector play in or Whitbread for that matter?
     
  6. kool-aide

    kool-aide Member+

    Feb 1, 2002
    a van by the river
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He seemed sufficiently skilled enough for midfield the times last season when he was put there. I think Spector's versitality might have hurt his rapid development. And deuteronomy points out, his injury history has lowered his ceiling.

    But, as I pointed out upthread, Spector's career is far (knock wood) far from over. He's younger than Steward Holden, Geoff Cameron, and Kljestan.
     
  7. ebbro

    ebbro Member+

    Jun 10, 2005
  8. vponce75

    vponce75 BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 16, 2004
    SoCal
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Does anyone have anything definitive about him being "benched"? He did just play to Internationals with long travel. Maybe the manager thought to rest him last week. Just a thought.
     
  9. dwsmith1972

    dwsmith1972 BigSoccer Supporter

    May 11, 2007
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Spector was never slow and is only 6'0. As others have noted, his hip injury robbed him of his lateral quickness which had a not insignificant impact on his ability to defend. He was not that bad of a right back while at Charlton and early during his stint at West Ham. I can recall him having an excellent game against United for WH, while managing to deal well with the speed of both Giggs and Ronaldo.
     
  10. dwsmith1972

    dwsmith1972 BigSoccer Supporter

    May 11, 2007
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree that his career may be far from older. Bear in mind, while he is slightly younger than those three guys, he has been playing professionally some 3 years longer.
     
  11. wooglin12

    wooglin12 Member

    Mar 26, 2005
    Birmingham, AL
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    in addition to a long Championship season plus Europa and domestic cup(s). I assume Birmingham will have plenty of rotation.
     
  12. Skevin

    Skevin Member+

    Aug 9, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Aston Villa FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Czechia
    This. Don't worry about Spector not starting the occasional game. Spector is on the right path at Birmingham and it is good that he has been playing a lot the last couple of months.
     
  13. jcsd

    jcsd Member+

    Jan 27, 2006
    I believe Spector is currently 2nd choice RB at Birmingham (and given his verstalitly maybe 2nd choice in a few other postions).

    He started today's Europa League match as the club captain Stephen Carr is injured.
     
  14. wooglin12

    wooglin12 Member

    Mar 26, 2005
    Birmingham, AL
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Looks like he went 90 today in a 2-1 win over Club Brugge. He picked up a yellow for his troubles. They're second in the group.
     
  15. sidefootsitter

    sidefootsitter Member+

    Oct 14, 2004
    I thought Spector looked great as a central defender with the US U-20's in 2005 under Sigi but he never had the physical toughness to handle the EPL power forwards at that spot.

    It'd be interesting to see him in a less linear/direct league but he took the English cash and one can't really blame him for it.
     
  16. TheMikey10

    TheMikey10 Member

    Aug 20, 2008
    Club:
    AFC Wimbledon
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  17. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    F Adu, J Spector, B Convey, E Johnson, ...

    I expected a lot more from them
     
  18. Dr.Phil

    Dr.Phil Member+

    Jan 18, 2004
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ya all of them showed good stuff for extended period of time. Flirted with everybodys emotions :(
     
  19. iad_22201

    iad_22201 Member+

    Jan 2, 2009
    Washington, DC
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Jon starts on the bench today against Bristol City.
     
  20. autobus39

    autobus39 Member+

    Jun 28, 2006
    Scranton, PA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Spector was an unused sub as Birmingham won on the road 1-0
     
  21. autobus39

    autobus39 Member+

    Jun 28, 2006
    Scranton, PA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Spector has been back in the starting lineup for Birmingham's last two Championship games, going 90 minutes in the midfield during a 0-0 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. His only mention in the match report on the Birmingham website was playing a one - two to send Chris Wood into the box, but Wood was called offside.

    Spector also went the distance in the midfield in a 1-0 home win against Leeds United in midweek. He came inches away from connecting on a diving header.
     
  22. schrutebuck

    schrutebuck Member+

    Jul 26, 2007
    90 minutes for Spector today as a central midfielder, as Birmingham win 2-1 in a key make-up match against Burnley. They still have two matches in hand due to Europa League, but have moved up to 8th in the Championship.
     
  23. keller4president

    Jan 5, 2006
    Was he playing as a defensive midfielder or attacking mf? Or both?
     
  24. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I know he's versatile, but damn that would be something. :D
     
  25. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Got the start today. From ESPN's lineup listing, it would look as if it was as a CB, but methinks that is incorrect.
     

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